COVID-19 Bulletin #27 from Dare County Emergency Management

In North Carolina, there are currently 2,093 cases of COVID-19 in 86 counties. There have been 19 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 259 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.

In Dare County, three positive tests have been reported. Two of the three individuals have completely recovered from their illness and the third person remains in isolation and is improving daily.

While the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services will continue to report on any positive test results as soon as possible, it is important to keep in mind that the number of positive cases reported doesn’t give the full picture of what is happening with COVID-19 in our community. Everyone is encouraged to focus less on the number of positive cases reported and focus more on staying at home except for essential work or needs.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is stressful for many people. Fear, anxiety and concern about this virus can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions that are hard to manage. Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. The CDC recommends several things you can do to support yourself during these trying times.

If you find yourself struggling, please use the resources available in our community to help you. Whether you need support with basic needs like food, or you need emotional support, we are fortunate in Dare County to have resources to assist. You may find a list of these at www.darenc.com/covidresources.

To reach the Dare County COVID-19 Call Center, call 252.475.5008. Staff is available until 5:00 p.m. today (Friday) to answer your questions and will reopen on Monday, April 6 at 8:30 a.m.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners will hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the Dare County Administration Building in Manteo. The meeting will be streamed live and can be accessed via www.darenc.com or www.currenttv.org (Click on Watch CurrentTV Government Live). Public comment may be submitted to the Board by sending an email during the meeting to dcboc@darenc.com

Town of Kill Devil HillsDuring this social-distancing time, Town offices are accessible by appointment only. If you have business with the Town call, email, or visit our website to gain assistance or to schedule an in person appointment. Department’s contact information, modifications to daily operations/services, Town meeting/event cancellations, and other updates are available on our website, www.kdhnc.com.

The Town’s top priority continues to be the health, safety, and well-being of everyone.In accordance with the Governor’s Stay at Home Order (Executive Order No. 121), the Town of Kill Devil Hills has temporarily closed the following facilities: the restrooms and playground at Aviation Park, the playground at Copley Park, the playground at Hayman Park, and the restrooms at the Ocean Bay Boulevard beach access. These facilities will remain closed to the public until further notice. When engaging in outdoor activity, remember to practice social distancing.

In addition, the Town’s Dry Trash Drop Off and Recycle Center is closed until further notice.

Social distancing continues to be the best defense against COVID-19. Stay home - stay healthy! Remember, you are not stuck at home; you are safe at home. If you must go out for an essential service maintain at least a six foot distance between you and others and do not gather in groups of more than 10 people.

Town of DuckTo protect our citizens and staff, we ask you to call or email the office to ask how we may be able to assist you remotely. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Town of Southern ShoresTown Facilities-Town facilities remain closed to the public and all Town Hall business is being conducted via phone, email, fax, or other virtual means. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

Building Inspections-Building inspections are still being conducted, however, meetings in person with the Building Inspector on-site are limited. Inspection requests should be called in to the Planning & Code Enforcement Department by calling 252-261-2394 ext. 3 or email Dabni Shelton, Permit Officer at dshelton@southernshores-nc.gov. Permit applications can be submitted online by utilizing the link to Citizenserve on the Town website: https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/online-permit-submittals/. Feel free to call the Planning & Code Enforcement Department at 252-261-2394 ext. 3 should you have any questions.

Bulk Waste Collection-originally scheduled for the Town of Southern Shores on Friday, April 3rd has been postponed. A new bulk collection schedule will be announced at a later date.

Town of Kitty HawkThe Town Council Meeting scheduled for April 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm will be held as planned. In order to maintain the safety of Town Citizens, Staff and Council, this meeting will be live streamed. There will be several ways to watch, listen and or participate. For more information about how to view the meeting click here .

Town offices are open normal business hours 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Face-to-face contact is being limited. Before visiting any Kitty Hawk office, please check the appropriate website or call to discuss the best way to conduct business. For contact information, please visit https://www.kittyhawknc.gov/coronavirus-disease/.

Town Begins Ocean Rescue PatrolTo ensure the safety of our citizens utilizing our beaches, the Town began Ocean Rescue Patrol on April 2, 2020. This mobile patrol is weather dependent and will be between the hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

In response to the County’s Stay Home. Stay Health Order:

The Town’s Recycle Center will be closed until further notice.

The playgrounds at Paul Pruitt Park and Sandy Run Park are closed. The parks will remain open for passive recreational activities. When visiting any of the Town’s parks please practice social distancing.

The Spring Chipping Service will not be held in April and has been postponed until the Fall.

Town of Nags HeadThe Town of Nags Head’s curbside collection of bulk items and brush service has been extended until April 30. We will conduct sweeps of the town to remove your items, but please call our Public Works department at 252-441-1122 to be placed on a list to track the date you placed your items in the right of way.

All of the Town’s offices remain open; however, we are strongly encouraging the public to conduct their business with the Town either via the phone or online.If you need to conduct business with the Town’s Public Works Department, please call the office at 242-441-1122 to make arrangements to have staff help you prior to physically visiting the office. You will be instructed over the phone on the safest and most efficient way to conduct your business with the Town. This also includes use of the bulk item/brush collection yard.

The playgrounds at Dowdy Park, Town Park, and Whalebone Park remain closed. Those parks, as well as the dog park and the skateboard park on the YMCA site, remain open. However, we ask that the public follow social distancing guidelines when visiting these properties.

We are currently working on the method we’ll use to hold our April 15, 2020 Board of Commissioners meeting and will advertise participation information when we have it.

Town of ManteoTown Operations – Sanitation, Water & Sewer, Permits & Inspections, and Law Enforcement continue service delivery. Access to Town Hall is limited. Call 473-2133 first to see if your item can be handled over the phone, online, or via other means. You will need to ring the doorbell and use the intercom prior to entry. Utility service disconnections are suspended during this emergency. Please note that utility fees will still be charged. Sanitation is on its regular schedule. Bulky item pick-ups are limited to Monday and Thursday.

Police Department – Access to the Police Department is limited to urgent matters. You will need to ring the doorbell and use the intercom prior to entry during weekdays. If you have an emergency, dial 911. Please call 473-2069 for non-emergency assistance during weekdays or 473-3444 after hours. There is a call box for after-hours use located at the police department entrance.

Public Facilities – Town parks remain open, and park visitors must avoid crowd-gathering and use social distancing. Playgrounds and public restrooms are closed. The Pea Island Cookhouse Museum, the Maritime Museum, and the interior of the Lighthouse remain closed. Downtown Marina is closed to visitors.

Special Events – The 05/02 Litter Pick-Up is postponed to 11/14. The Downtown Market is postponed until further notice.

National Park ServiceAll indoor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are temporarily closed. Outdoor areas continue to be open for the purposes of activities described under North Carolina's Executive Order 121 and Dare County's “Stay Home - Stay Healthy” declaration. As services are limited, the National Park Service urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.